Ubuntu 11.10 Alpha 1 released

The first alpha release of the Ubuntu 11.10 development cycle is now available for developers to download.

Ubuntu 11.10 Alpha sees many transitory changes, most notably the addition of GNOME 3 and its associated stack, as well the usual version-ing bumps – Network manager hits 0.9, Firefox 5 beta is included and Linux Kernel sits at 2.6.39.

Announcing the release on the Ubuntu Developer mailing list, Canonica’s Kate Stewart stresses the nature of development releases:

Pre-releases of Oneiric Ocelot are *not* encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent breakage. They are, however, recommended for Ubuntu developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs.

Before you try

If you’re considering taking the Ocelot for a whirl then do, please, bear in mind that it is an alpha release. What you experience or see in this alpha is not indicative of the final product due in October.

Also note that: –

Indicators are currently broken in Unity 2D

Network manager is tetchy

Ubuntu sometimes fails to load a wallpaper

The default Ubuntu theme does not currently work

GNOME-Shell is installable from the repositories, but is not included by default